Law Commons^™

International Human Rights In A Nutshell, Thomas Buergenthal, Dinah L. Shelton, David P. Stewart

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

This book describes the development of international human rights law. The main difference today is that individuals receive protection as individuals independent from their affiliation with a nation, as compared to the traditional consideration that only states had rights under international law. The law of humanitarian intervention first suggested that states do not receive unlimited discretion in their behavior under international law. The first chapter describes the earliest treaties and agreements giving rise to the current status of international law, such as the League of Nations and the International Labor Organization.